HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/15/08APRIL 15, 2008
At a Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners, held on Tuesday, April 15, 2008,
at 5:30 p.m., Mayor Paxton presided, and upon call of the roll by the City Clerk, the
following answered to their names: Commissioners Coleman, Kaler, Watkins, and
Mayor Paxton (4). Commissioner Smith was absent (1).
PROCLAMATION
ARBOR DAY
Mayor Paxton presented a proclamation proclaiming April 19th as "Arbor Day" to Kathy
Keeney, Horticulturalist for the City.
The City Manager notified the public that when customers at Paducah Bank sign up for
electronic statements the bank would donate $1.00 to the City. This money is to be used
specifically for the purchase of trees to plant around the City.
Parks Department has developed a tree memorial fund and bench memorial fund for the
parks. Anyone who wants to donate in memory of a loved one can participate.
A memorial tree for John Degnan, Jr. will be planted during the Arbor Day festivities at
Noble Park on Saturday, April 12th
PRESENTATION
PADUCAH SYMPHONY
Paducah Symphony Board representatives, Tom Miller, President and John Williams, Jr,
Vice President of Finance & Planning, gave an overview of the Paducah Symphony
events, education programs and efforts to preserve classical music through presentations
to the public. Other representatives in attendance were Juliette Grumley and Jean Truitt.
They distributed a letter along with other background information requesting $50,000 in
funding to support live music in Paducah and the greater Western Kentucky region.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Paxton announced that Hooper's Outdoor Center would begin this week
renovating the old United Home Furnishings Building located at 219 Broadway and hope
to open to the public in three to four months.
The Mayor advised the public that Police Chief Bratton would not be leaving Paducah to
go to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Since the Chief has been employed with the City Police
Department, lawsuits have declined and major crime has decreased. He read a letter from
a resident complimenting the Chief on his professional and competent leadership.
WORKSHOP
LOWERTOWN PLANNING IDEAS
Several months ago Mayor Paxton attended a Lower Town residents meeting and asked
residents in Lower Town to give suggestions for the future of Lower Town. Due to that
request Durwin Ursery, resident of Lower Town; L. Dwain Smith, artist in Lower Town;
Kathy Keeney, City Horticulturalist; along with ideas from members of the Lower Town
Associations compiled a presentation of urban plan ideas for the Lower Town and
downtown areas. The presentation included points on the following:
• Existing Conditions
• Galleries and Potential Development Parcels
• Historical Homes
• City Plan Summer `07
• Existing or Potential Urban Design Elements
• Reinforced Elements
Asking that the Commission consider these ideas for growth and development for Lower
Town and its relationship to downtown.
Mayor Paxton suggested prioritizing the ideas and asked for Commissioner Kaler's
assistance since she is a resident of Lower Town.
Mr Ursery was in agreement and said he would like to work with the Steve Doolittle and
the Planning Department.
(A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is in the minute file.)
APRIL 15, 2008
MUNICIPAL ORDER
AUTHORIZATION TO NEGOTIATE PARK PROPERTY OPTIONS FOR
SOCCER COMPLEX
Mayor Paxton read a letter of support for the development of the soccer complex from
the James family (James Marine, Inc.). The family pledges a six -figure donation and
offers, "to lead a fundraising effort in soliciting similar donations from other area
businesses and individuals with a target of $1 million or more. This pledge and efforts is
based on two requirements, 1) park must be located in or near the exit 11 area —
preferably with interstate visibility and 2) the park may initially accommodate only
soccer, but must also include or be designed for phased construction to include
baseball/softball tournament fields, concession areas, outdoor playground areas, walk/ran
trails, basketball, and eventually a swimming facility — preferably indoor." (A copy of
the letter is in the minute file.)
Commissioner Coleman offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Kaler, that a
Municipal Order entitled, "A MUNICIPAL ORDER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER AND PARKS SERVICES DIRECTOR TO ACQUIRE AN OPTION
PREFERABLY FOR SIX MONTHS FOR THE SHEEHAN BRIDGE ROAD
PROPERTY FOR THE POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF A SOCCER COMPLEX
AND OTHER PARK FACILITIES," be adopted.
Adopted on call of the roll, yeas, Commissioners Coleman, Kaler, Watkins and Mayor
Paxton (4). M.O.#1382;BK 7; PG
Mayor Paxton commented that even though the McCracken County Fiscal Court has not
adopted action to move forward at this time on a new soccer complex, the City
understands and hopes to work with the Fiscal Court in the future on this project.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
• Calendar Items
• Next Tuesday's commission meeting is cancelled
• Request Brief Executive Session for hotel negotiations
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Coleman offered motion, seconded by Mayor Paxton, that the Board go
into closed session for discussion of matters pertaining to the following topics:
• A specific proposal by a business entity where public discussion of the subject
matter would jeopardize the location, retention, expansion or upgrading of a
business entity, as permitted by KRS 61.810(1)(g).
Adopted on call of the roll, yeas, Commissioners Coleman, Kaler, Watkins, and Mayor
Paxton (4).
Upon motion the meeting adjourned.
ADOPTED: May 13 , 2008
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City Clerk